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Post by jon on Aug 24, 2007 19:58:51 GMT -5
Well, shocked is the only word I can come up with. I walked into Monticello Raceway and immeditely saw over 1,000 videp poker/slot machines. I walked around this huge gaming room to the door that read "Grandstand". When i walked through I saw the track and got excited. But when I got closer to the track, I noticed about 100 people in and around the track. That same number of people never changed throughout the afternoon. the condition of the seats reminded me of the final days at Roosevelt Raceway in Long Island New York. I thought the addition of slot machines were going to help the sport?  If so, Monticello is NOT one of those such tracks. Anyway, it was nice to see live racing!!! jon |
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Post by BlackWater on Aug 25, 2007 5:25:20 GMT -5
Glad you enjoyed your vacation, Jon! It's sad to hear about the condition of the track. Sounds like the owners aren't using any of the slot revenues to help maintain the horse racing side of the operation. Let's hope that's not a trend! But it's great to have you back with us! Now, get busy and post your picks - I'm looking forward to seeing you hit that big Pick-4!  BW |
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Post by bobcat on Aug 25, 2007 9:40:42 GMT -5
I live about 40 minutes from Monticello. It's a pit, and has been since the glory days long ago. The slots have done NOTHING for this place, and for very few tracks in NY in general. The slot revenue is way down at Monti, and purses are plummeting. The horse count is way down. Some of the leading drivers have moved on to greener pastures (like Larry Stalbaum, even Bouchard is racing in fewer events here). It will be only a matter of time before they bring the quarter claimers back. Sad, but the racing is looked on as the red headed step child of the slot industry, indulged only because it is mandated, and then to as small an extent as possible. If you folks think that slots will save racing in Ohio, we are living proof that that may not be true.
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Post by jay44224 on Aug 25, 2007 10:22:16 GMT -5
Jon- I agree Monticello is quite dismal. I worked there from 1979 through 1986 in the admissions department. Sometimes I even ushered in the reserved seat section - if you can imagine that.
During this time period they were already past their prime as this place was built in a resort area where people that lived closer to N Y City would escape the heat of summer going to the mountains- it was a cheap alternative to the higher priced escapes along the coast. As technology improved and vacation travel grew with alternatives the getaways to the mountains declined thus no patronage. Monticello is in the middle of nowhere and slots alone are not a draw as people can go to Connecticut and Atlantic City (as crappy a town as it is) for full table games.
Monty should have never went to year round racing as it's main draw was the summer vacation crowd and there is nothing their in the winter.
Tracks like Yonkers in a very urban area, slots have helped, as people do not have to travel several hours for action.
Slots may not be the answer to racing in general, but in my opinion areas where their are people with expendable cash that are willing and already travel several hours to play slots or other casino games can benefit from keeping that money near home
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If so, Monticello is NOT one of those such tracks.
